Wines Of Illyria

Arianna Occhipinti

SP68 Bianco Terre Siciliane Albanello Muscat of Alexandria 2023

sun baked oregano // pomelo (pith and all) — 12 days ago

Michael liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

Great vintage. Great first growth producer. Maybe one of the best I’ve ever had. — 14 days ago

Deborah, Daniel and 4 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

It’s great but I don’t get why it’s the wine of the year. — 8 days ago

jesus, Jean-Philip and 7 others liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005

Somm David T
9.5

It is really no surprise that this 05 is incredible and yet still extremely youthful. This 05 will out live almost anyone 50 years old. It is good for another 45 years.

I had their 16 La Dame last weekend & commented it should not be opened for another 10 years.

The core on the nose is dark velvet black currants. There’s a bit of melted dark chocolate-mousse. Ripe but subtle blackberries, black raspberries, black plum-plum pudding, very dark cherries, some mulberries, mocha powder, dark, rich earth, dry river stone, limestone, anise, mix of dry/fresh herbs, fine, undertone of baking spices, moist grey clay, slightly dry tobacco, sandalwood, mild, elegant spice, just the slightest hint of mint, very, slightly candied, dark, withering flowers & red roses.

The palate is rich, round with velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark fruits blended in melted dark-mocha chocolate. Blackberries, black raspberries, both plums w/ heavy skin, dark cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries & raspberries over the top. Dry bay leaf-sage, moist clay, rich, dark, turned earth, dry river stone, limestone powder, stem inclusion, red licorice/cola, anise to black licorice candy, sandalwood to soft cedar, slightly moist tobacco, used leather, mild, dark spice, a touch & just a touch of tomato leaf, hints of cardamom, dark/red withering flowers with just a touch of violets, perfect acidity and a very well knitted, tensioned, balanced, structured, elegantly polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on nice earthiness & softly muddled spice.

Paired w/ their bone-in Ribeye. Best steakhouse steak that I’ve had out and not made by friends and or myself. Rich fat, tender and nice flavor. Lacks a bit of char and Napa Valley Rub from wholespice.com.

Open in another 15-20 years.

A real shot at a 💯 in another 15-20+.

@Delmonico Steakhouse Las Vegas
— 16 days ago

Peter, Paul and 22 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

The Montrose stuff is a true force of nature. That'90 vintage will outlive us all combined. Ridiculously fresh once you get past the brett.

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2014

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2014 Classico pours a slightly hazy garnet with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing. Initially showing notes of stewed red fruits, however with about 30 minutes of air, the fruits freshened up. Morello Cherry, macerated strawberry, dried roses, tar, leather, gravelly earth, and a pleasant mix of cool spices. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium plus; grippy and savory. An often maligned vintage in Piemonte, particularly in Barolo (though some outstanding examples exist). However, in Barbaresco, there was more success and this is an example. Drink now through 2034. — 8 days ago

Lyle, Daniel and 13 others liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1995

Double-decanted earlier in the day; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1995 pours a perfect garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe cassis, black cherry, mixed flowers, tobacco, earth, menthol and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium, integrated tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Classy. This is an elegant expression of Bordeaux and showed so well tonight. Thanks Andy! Drink now through 2040. — 11 days ago

Peter, Tom and 24 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

There is a lot to like about St. Julien producers. But this one might be my favorite.
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Somm David T I think so too. But then I have a bottle of Gruaud Larose and I second guess myself

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1962

From mag. Gorgeous soft plum and red cherry. Floral notes, hints of iodine and violets. Excellent. In great shape. — 18 days ago

BOT Matt LichtenbergPaul Woolls
with BOT, Matt and 1 other
Jan, Ceccherini and 6 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Decant for sediment (lots of chunky/fine sediment) and pour. A stunning medium ruby red color with little signs of aging. On the nose: big inviting notes of dark fruit/currants, worn leather, herbaceous, smoked meat, funky earth, menthol. Taste: silky, evolved, expressive structure with brambly plum, currants, old leather, dark chocolate, graphite, and a black raspberry-iron-dried herb long finish. YUM! It's what's you want in an aged Napa cab, and glad to have just acquired 3 more bottles. — 16 hours ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Deborah and 11 others liked this
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

I’m lost on the sediment every time, I don’t see anyone else talking about sediment?🤷🏼‍♂️
Rick Phillips

Rick Phillips Premium Badge

Sediment has never been an issue from the variety of Constant wines I’ve enjoyed!
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

It’s not an issue either, but it’s always in Tom’s reviews so just curious why?🤷🏼‍♂️. I see sommeliers post but they don’t comment on sediment either. Just curious what I’m missing here?

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2014

Mary H
9.5

I’m an addict, what can I say? Full mouthful of bright fruit flavor, golden tropical fruit, honey, singing acidity and long finish. — 3 days ago

Joe, Dave and 1 other liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Château Latour is an iconic estate in the Pauillac commune on the left bank of Bordeaux, achieving coveted ‘First Growth’ status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

The estate has roots dating back to the 14th century and derives its name ‘La Tour’ from a fortress tower built during the Hundred Years’ War, which no longer exists but is prominently featured on the label in recognition of its history.

We weren’t sure what to expect, as many have predicted these 1983s are likely past their prime, but this wine was a masterpiece. 🤩

It was medium garnet in color with expressive notes of cedar box, cigar, clove, peat, leather, forest floor, fig, prune, dried black cherry, plum, cassis, blackberry compote, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, dried violet, potpourri, kalamata olive, pencil shavings, graphite, & bacon fat.

It had the most velvety, fine-grained tannins that washed across the palate with ease, with a gentle but notable acidity that maintained lift and balance. It was concentrated, complex, and had a long, elegant finish.
— 6 days ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Ted and 12 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

Happy Birthday @Vanessa way to celebrate in style!
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Paul K Thank you for the bday wishes! It was an auspicious and delicious way to start my next trip around the sun ☀️ Cheers! And we hope to reconnect with you guys soon! 🍾🥂
Paul K

Paul K

We will absolutely figure out something this summer!!!